Benefits

Solar Energy Benefits

We all know that there are many environmental benefits to switching over to solar energy, but there are many economical benefits as well. Going solar can also affect your community in a positive way. Here are some solar energy benefits to show you why solar energy is the way to go.

1

Reduce your electric bills and save

Solar energy will help companies be more profitable, help homeowners save money and reduce your energy bill. With a solar system, you can generate extra power to use for your system’s 25+ year lifespan. There are also many tax incentives and rebate programs across the U.S. designed to encourage the use of solar and save you money at the same time. LEARN MORE

2

Protect the environment

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average household emits approximately 20 metric tons of carbon pollution each year. By going solar you can help reduce carbon pollution because a solar system doesn’t emit carbon. Therefore, by using renewable solar energy you are helping minimize environmental issuses such as climate change and also health issues related to carbon emissions.

3

Create clean jobs

When you go solar you create clean jobs for your community. These jobs are a great contributor to the U.S. economy because they aree higher paying and can not be outsourced.

4

Hedge utility prices

Over the past decade, electricity prices have gone up. By going solar, you protect yourself from these rising prices because with solar you are producing your own energy.

5

Boost U.S. energy independence

A recent study found that 25,000 square miles of solar panels would generate enough electricity to power the entire world. By investing in solar power, you can help the United States get closer to energy independence. Price fluctuations can have a serious impact on the economy. When you use solar powered energy, you can help ensure a sustainable source of energy for the future and also shield ourselves from said price fluctuations.

Solar Power vs. Coal

Coal fired power has been the main source of power since the beginning of the industrial revolution. It’s problems have always been overlooked because of how cheap coal is. Solar energy, on the other hand, is also cheap but it’s clean! By using solar power, you can reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some similarities and differences between coal and solar power:

Solar power is more environmentally friendly and also better for everyone’s health. Solar panels are constructed from silicon, aluminum, and glass and once being used onsite, produce no emissions and use no fossil fuels.

When coal is burned it emits carbon dioxide (CO2), which is a major contributor to global warming, while solar power produces no CO2.

Sulfur dioxide is the main component of acid rain. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 65 percent of annual sulfur dioxide emissions in the United States are from coal fired power plants. Solar power does not emit sulfur dioxide.

Coal can produce electricity 24 hours a day while solar power can not generate power at night and can be affected by cloud cover. However there are many ways you can get solar power, such as feeding electricity, that is generated from solar power, that was not used back into the grid and then using these credits during times when solar power can not be generated.

Solar Power and coal are pretty much the same price. However, the International Energy Agency expects utility-scale generation costs to fall by another 25 percent on average in the next five years.